Power Conditioners - Best Set-Up


I'm considering a power conditioner for my system and have read alot of threads about them. However, I'm confused as
to which parts of the sound system would benefit. Several folks have said that the amp, with its big transformer, gets very little benefit. So is a power conditioner best for source components? How about pre-amps?

Some background info:

I have a dedicated line and am using a tube amp and pre-amp. I've heard great things about AudioPrism's Power Foundation and Shunyata Research Hydra power conditioners.

Thanks
lrm1jaf
Lrmljaf, As Psychicanimal has stated, you've got some homework to do. The statement you made regarding amplifiers and power conditioners is partially accurate. In many cases, passive power conditioning will act as a "choke" to your amplifier. In other words, the amp will demand a higher level of current draw than the power conditioner is capable of providing it.

If the dedicated line you are presently using is 15 amps, a well built 200 watt per channel amp will suck it dry. Many passive power conditioning units are built for a maximum 15 amp current draw. If your amp is doubling it's output power based on load, ie: 200/400/800 watts per channel, you've just drained your wall receptacle. That's just the amp alone, now what about all the other components you have plugged into it?

If you have a dedicated 20 amp receptacle, that will allow you a little more wiggle room. Active power conditioning units (PS Audio, Accuphase, Exactpower, etc.) will help to keep your AC more stable during high current draw scenarios, but still will not always provide the high current needed.

Now I know I'm gonna get hammered for this but, here goes.
I personally have found that ANY form of passive power conditioning restricts current draw to the amp. And I use a small 100 wpc integrated. But, even that small integrated will draw as much as 900 watts, during let's say, the Telarc version of the 1812 overture. (you probably know about the cannons?)

Imagine what would happen if I use using A 200 watt amp?

In terms of everything but the amp, I use a passive conditioner plugged into an active conditioner. The amp is plugged directly into the active conditioner, everyting else is plugged into the passive. That provides filtration, including digital, isolation between components, and does not choke the amp.

And, I'm also assuming that your isolated outlet is also using an isolated ground? Is that correct?
Buscis2 - That's a pretty detailed answer, and I appreciate the time you spent on it.

Let me give you some more information. I actually have two 20 amp dedicated lines with seperate isolated grounds with direct feeds to the main electrical box. My amp is rated at 90 watts @ 8 ohms and it's a tube unit.

The amp gets one of the dedicated lines along with a tuner and VCR. While the other dedicated line gets the tube pre-amp, CD Player, and TV.

Does this info help?

Thanks again for your time.